Louis Goosen, now permanently resident at Ashburton, broke the ice at Scottsville on Wednesday when Haddington held off all challengers and the former Vaal-based trainer can add swiftly to that tally with Zen Arcade in the card opener at the same course on Sunday.

The son of Ideal World made his debut in the BSA Million over 1400m and only found one too good for him in the slightly more experienced Broadway Trip out of the Alec Laird yard.

Admittedly, it was not the strongest of fields but there were plenty of runners primed for the R600k first prize so this was a particularly good effort first crack out of the box.

Of some concern is the drop back to 1200m but any improvement on his debut effort should set him apart from the rest of the raced runners.

Of course, there is always the chance of a ‘springer’ amongst the first timers so it is advisable to keep an eye on the market.

Highveld visitor Gunter Wrogemann has four rides for Goosen and next best from the yard appears to be Flight Mode in the last who appears to finally be getting his act together. He had shown little for most of the year but the addition of a tongue-tie appears to have him back to something like his best when showing much improved pace before fading late over the Vaal 1000m last time out.

All True Man, Risky Rosco and Elegant General have shown enough to be major threats in what is an open affair.

Anthony Delpech has stuck with Got Your Back after two close-up finishes over course and distance in the third and Dennis Bosch’s runner is likely to start at cramped odds and is a possible Pick 6 banker in the opening leg.

Draugluin was an expensive failure when backed into 6-10 for his last start but he was simply out-paced over the last furlong, scraping into third. Dennis Drier stretches him to 1400m on Sunday and the son of Twice Over can make amends.

Opposition includes World Mission, who has the worst of the draw, and Mighty Valdie, who has shown steady improvement for Doug Campbell although his last two outings have been on the poly at Greyville.

The Soccer 6 Handicap is a typically difficult fillies and mares handicap where Drier holds a fair hand in top weight Russet Roses and Uprise. Both were ridden to victory by apprentice Diego de Gouveia at their last starts and one can reasonably assume that he would have had the choice of mounts, even at the expense if stable rider Sean Veale. Uprise was only a maiden winner but she revelled in the step up in trip and looks capable of following up.

After showing consistent form on the Greyville poly, Iced Up was disappointing when switching to the turf earlier this month. However, that was her second run after a break and can be expected to produce a better performance this time around. Russet Roses, Peggy’s Dream and Yess are others that warrant consideration.

Perfect Jay and Touch Of Magic are likely to dominate the market for the Blinkers Bar Handicap as they look to be a cut above their rivals. Draugluin did not do Perfect Jay’s form any favours when run-over next time out but Dean Kannemeyer’s runner is on the up.

Touch Of Magic takes on males but shed her maiden convincingly on debut and was not far back in a competitive handicap when returning from a break. That run should have brought her on.

There should be precious little between Great Value and Panza in the seventh, Panza finishing just under a length to the good when last they met. Both have run two cracking races since with Ivan van Wyk’s runner having his third run after a well-earned break.

One to watch is Archilles, having his second outing for Goosen and his third run after a break.

By Andrew Harrison